LET FOOD BE YOUR MEDICINE

You have probably heard once or twice about bone broth recently, but what is it? And seriously, why is everyone talking about it?! Believe it or not, Bone Broth is an old world healing super food. I say “old world” because it is a remedy that has been used for ages. This is not American specific either, bone broth has been used in almost every culture around the world for centuries to heal the sick, or make people virile.

So what is bone broth besides an age old remedy? Well to be honest, it is pasture raised slow or pressure cooked, bones. If you don’t know what any of that means, don’t worry, let me break it down for you. Pasture raised stands for the feeding process of an animal in it’s natural state and living out to pasture its entire life, not in a cage or feed lot. When animals are out to pasture or in the wild, they are at their most vital state and offer the human body the nutrients it requires to heal. Slow or pressure cooked are two different ways we can cook bones. Slow cooking is longer and at a lower temperature. Pressure cooking is shorter and at a higher temp, but in a pressurized container. Neither are less effective, just different results in terms of flavor and clarity. The primary goal is to have a broth that gelatinizes at cooler temperatures. The Gelatin is the holy grail.

So beyond where the bones come from or how we cook it, why is it considered a super food?! Well to put it simply, bone broth when made properly, is dense and chalked full of nutrients. In this miraculous food you can find, collagen, proteins, healthy fats, amino acids, peptides, vitamins, minerals, and gelatin. WOW!!!

Crazy awesome right?! So the real reason everyone is talking about it is not only because it is a super food, but the amazing nutrients in it have the power to heal. The nutrient density of bone broth can heal even the most afflicted and literally bring people back to life. There are studies of people who have been hospitalized with Crohns disease and are totally emaciated to the point of no return, but were revived with bone broth. Others have had debilitating Colitis their entire life and the disease is reversed with bone broth. Yes these are both intestinal disorders, but the integrity of your entire system lives in your gut. Gut health is #1, and needs to be respected as such.

As you can see, bone broth is all the buzz right now because of its significance in healing the body. So if you are feeling sick, have food sensitivities, inflammation, nerve damage, degenerative health or wellbeing, try bone broth. It may be the answer you are looking for. Even if you don’t have an crazy health concerns, bone broth will make you look and feel better than you ever have before. The collagen is so rich that your hair, skin, and nails will be the best they have ever been!

What is the recommended amount you ask? I like to tell my clients that 6-8oz daily is preferable. If you are looking to heal something severe, drinking 3 cups a day is extremely beneficial. You also want to make sure that you are digesting and breaking down the healthy fats properly, so feel free to add a little organic raw apple cider vinegar. If you don’t have a gallbladder, OX bile is necessary as a supplement to take with each meal and cup of bone broth.

Michelle Tam is a health food chef that specifically cooks the PALEO style of eating. for those of you who are not familiar it is a style of eating that removes all grains and dairy. It is a great place to start if you have food sensitivities.

I am lucky enough to live in Portland Oregon where we have our very own broth bar! Check it out: